As the second largest palace on Crete, Phaistos Minoan Palace is the quiet and less crowded sister to Knossos Palace. During the 15th to 20th century BCE, Phaistos Minoan Palace was an important and affluent city that wielded considerable power, serving as a commercial and religious hub for the Minoans.

Here you can take a close-up look at the advanced civilization of the Minoans, complete with a complex irrigation system and a meticulous emphasis on intricate but artful architecture. There are helpful signs and artists’ impressions scattered throughout the site, where the historic titbits are vivid enough to transport you back into the past. You do not even have to worry about spending the whole day getting lost, starving in this archaeological wonder, as there is an onsite restaurant for you to grab a bite. Meanwhile, the adjacent souvenir shop is rife with mementoes to take home. As one of the best preserved sites on Crete, Phaistos Minoan Palace is the place where you can truly appreciate the grandeur of an authentic Minoan palace.